*taken from the blog*

Saturday, February 15, 2003
3.7

A message in an e-bottle from Shane (in Sao Paolo):
WOW. Today made the whole trip worth while. I met up with a local girl who took me around the city (this is just a side note to the good stuff), and saw lots of cool shit to go do and buy this week. We were walking around and she reminded me that today was world protest against the iraq war day.

SO.... with camera in tow and a buncha rolls of film I head over to the america sucks parade. Were both walking around (its about 4 in the afternoon and semi-cloudy) and I'm taking pictures of all the freaky people in their get-ups. Paloma got a phone call and had to leave, so I was a solo gringo in hate-ville. It wasn't threatening though, and the people didn't seem to notice me. Everyone was out in full force... there were thousands of people there. Most of the people were more than happy to let me get their picture (finally).

So, before the parade starts I make it to the front of the crowd and the Brazillian socialist party (commie flags flying and all that good stuff) were leading the parade with a big truck with speakers on the side and a platform aobut 20ft. in the air. There were guys on the top leading chants and everything. Now here is the good part, I walk up to the back of the truck and there is a ladder going up, so I asked the socialist coordinator guy if I can go up and HE SAID YES!!! I rode on top of the fucking lead truck with the communist party down the main street of Sao Paulo!! It was incredible. Lots and lots of pics. I could see the parade stretching back forever. I got to ride for quite a while and then I got down so I could get crowd shots.

The parade went for a few miles and ended in this park where the clash of the anti-war titans hit full tilt. Hari krishnas in one corner, the socialists and arabs trying to talk over each other next to them, the anarchists everywhere screaming dumb shit... then this group of about 100 women strolls up with drums and starts playing a samba in the middle of the fucking thing. MADNESS. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. it was Brazil like I imagined it plus more. The whole thing turned into a dance party by the end.

I hope to God I got some good photos. If not, I am a total failure as a photographer and will never pick up a camera again because only an ass would come out of this without some outstanding shots. I was right under the american flag when they burned it (saw it coming a mile away) and all kinds of stuff. My head is spinning with excitement... or maybe its low blood sugar from not eating all day. Either way its nice!
WOW. I just hope the pictures give some idea of what I went through. Can't wait to get them home.

Talk to you soon,
Shane